Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced that he helped pass the 2018-19 state budget, which provides a total of $26.6 billion in education funding – an increase of $914 million over last year – ensures students aren’t hungry in school and helps more Central New Yorkers pursue a college degree.

“Each and every child in this state, no matter where they live, deserves a quality education,” Stirpe said. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that school districts have the resources they need and that our kids can learn in a safe and nurturing environment.”

The state budget increases Foundation Aid by $618 million for a total of $17.8 billion. The budget also increases funding for Central New York schools, including:

Additionally, the budget creates the Breakfast After the Bell initiative to ensure students can get a healthy meal after the start of the school day and protects students from lunch shaming.

To offset the rising costs of higher education, Assemblyman Stirpe helped secure significant investments, including $12.1 million to SUNY to increase community college base aid by $100 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student.

To help more students follow the college dream, the state budget also restores $24.6 million in aid to private colleges, known as Bundy Aid, and increases funding for the Foster Youth Initiative to $6 million to support foster students on their path to higher education.

“As a father, I know how stressful paying for college is for so many of our families,” said Stirpe. “That’s why the state budget makes significant investments to help middle-class families send their kids to college without the fear of massive debt weighing them down.”

Public libraries in Central New York are vital community resources, helping students learn, job seekers find careers and community members access services in a single central and accessible location. To help make sure libraries can continue serving the community, the state budget provides a total of $96.6 million in funding for public libraries, an increase of $1 million over last year. In addition, the budget provides $34 million to support library capital projects across the state.